[The comparative efficacy of nicardipine and nifedipine in stenocardia patients]

Altogether 12 patients with stable angina pectoris of effort were examined for the efficacy of nicardipine as compared to nifedipine and placebo by means of pharmacodynamic studies using treadmill. Nicardipine exerted a significant antianginal and anti-ischemic action 1, 2 and 3 hours after the intake of single dose (40 or 60 mg). The efficacy of nifedipine in a single dose of 20 or 30 mg was more remarkable in spite of the fact that differences in the drug efficacy were not statistically significant. The side effects such as headache, heat sensation and face hyperemia were more frequently recorded after the intake of nicardipine than after the intake of nifedipine. Therefore nicardipine, a new calcium antagonist of the dihydropyridine series, can be applied to the treatment of patients with stable angina pectoris of effort. However, as compared to nifedipine, it has no advantages over it.